Several patrol cars were left at the scene along with two emergency paramedic vehicles while the woman was rushed to hospital with what police described as serious injuries.

An investigation is now underway to establish how the woman ended up on the motorway, close to the Spencers Lane bridge, but ‘it is not believed a vehicle was involved’.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “Officers were called at 6am today, Monday, March 20, following reports that motorists had seen a woman lying on the hard shoulder of the motorway on the northbound carriageway near junction 6.

“An investigation is currently underway to establish how she came to be there and she has been taken to hospital for treatment for her injuries.”

18:42Jenny Kirkham

Monday night weather forecast

According to the Met Office it will be breezy but cold tonight, with clear spells and scattered showers, turning wintry over the hills, and even to low levels at times overnight.

A blue Mini car was recovered for forensic examination after it was involved in a collision with another car on Hale Road at around 8.50pm on Saturday.

The occupants of the Mini made off from the collision on foot.

Merseyside Police believe the car was involved in a shooting on Ramsbrook Close, Speke at around 9pm on the same day.

It is believed that the culprits arrived and left Rambrook Close in a blue three door Mini Cooper S.

Bearing the false registration plates BF03 GVA the car was stolen in Whiston in February.

Following the shooting the Mini left Ramsbrook Close at speed without lights and turned right into Blacklock Hill Road and onto Hale Road towards Widnes and was involved in a collision with a taxi injuring the driver and two passengers.

Both male occupants, described as wearing dark clothing, ran from the scene into fields.

A 31-year-old man and a 37-year-old man were taken to hospital for treatment to leg injuries. A third man, aged 20, later presented himself at hospital with a slight injury to his arm which was caused by glass fragments.

The 37-year-old and the 20 year-old have both been discharged from hospital. The 31-year-old man remains in hospital where his condition is described as ‘comfortable’.

A Police Forensics Officer at a cordoned off house on Ramsbrook Close.

Detectives appealed for help in identifying the two men or anyone who may have seen them running away from Hale Road following the collision.

Officers are also keen to establish where the Mini was kept between the date it was stolen – Friday, February 3– and the time of the shooting.